Stable Funding. Thriving Communities. Becoming a Special Legislative District Public Library

Just a few facts to start Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (B&ECPL) is chartered as a municipal library –Funded through Erie County property tax –Appointed Board of Trustees (County Executive, County Legislature, City of Buffalo Mayor) Operates separately from the County Board of Trustees makes all policy decisions

Just a few facts to start B&ECPL also serves as Erie County’s library system Provides essential library programs, collection support and services to its 22 contracting libraries as well as the Central library and the eight branches in the City of Buffalo

Who we are 37 venues –Central Library –8 Buffalo branches –22 Contracting Libraries Operating 28 locations All are municipal except for association libraries –Ewell Free (Alden) –Boston –Marilla

Value of What We Provide ServiceAmountValue Materials Borrowed8,097,152$85,343,982 Computer Use860,530 hours$10,326,360 Online Database Searches2,908,755$43,631,325 Reference Questions & Inter-Library Loans 470,563$7,058,000 Adult and Children’s Program Attendance 138,407$1,036,668 Total Retail Value$147,396,780 For every property tax dollar invested in the Library in 2010, Erie County received $6.65 back in library program and services.

Value of What We Provide All for about 1% of a total tax bill

County Funding History

2005 Budget Crisis –15 libraries and 4 mobile units closed –Lost over 100 FTEs –Drastically reduced services 2008 Economic Downturn –Leads to increased use –$1.6M restored 2009 –$1.6M cut 2010 –$750,000 restoration not provided

County Funding History 2011 –Cut $4M –One time restoration by County Legislature of $3M –$21.2M total County funding –Used $2.6M of fund balance –Reduced hours –Cut 47 jobs to balance budget

2012 Budget $19.9M from Erie County property tax $2M from County general fund balance $21.9M total County funding

The Need For Stable Funding The B&ECPL has been on the downside of the County funding roller coaster for some time We compete with other financial priorities within the County With the 2% tax cap, the Library’s funding position within the County is even more questionable

The Need for Stable Funding After 2010 funding issues, B&ECPL asked the UB Regional Institute to study various governance options Book Smart lays out the system and funding options Institute indicates that B&ECPL pursue becoming a special legislative district public library is most logical option

The Need for Stable Funding The Library System Board has been exploring funding and governance options since 2005 NYS Board of Regents has formally adopted the formation of Public Library Districts as part of its statewide library policy A super majority of the ACT boards of trustees voted in favor of moving forward September 15, 2011 the B&ECPL Board of Trustees voted to pursue becoming a special legislative district public library

What is a Special Legislative District Public Library? It is one of two library funding district options in New York State –Other: School District Public Library Obtains a substantial amount (60% or higher) of its funding through a direct public vote Has a Board of Trustees that is publicly elected by eligible voters within the library’s service area Created through an act of the NYS Legislature and subsequent public vote

Benefits of a SPDPL Predictable funding stream Live within its own 2% tax cap –Can ask the public for increased funding each year; Voters say yes or no –County Tax Cap lowered by amount of function transferred to new district Potential to bond for capital projects Increases the library’s –Autonomy –Accountability –Community ownership

The B&ECPL As a District Library Create one Library District for all of Erie County All the existing libraries would come under one new library charter 23 hiring authorities would be consolidated to 1 Maximize economies of scale and continue to provide a great public service return on investment

The B&ECPL As a District Library Enabling legislation sponsored by members from Erie County state delegation Details local election to establish and fund the new entity –Specifies service area and election process County would collect community-based funding Trustees would be elected

The B&ECPL As a District Library System board and individual boards have been working together cooperatively to create memoranda of understanding that will be the basis for the new library’s policies and procedures

MOU Considerations Individual library boards can transition to Advisory Boards. Among their responsibilities will be: –Represent the interests of their local community regarding library programs and services by communicating directly with the new elected Board of Trustees –Review and make recommendations regarding the district’s proposed annual budget –Interview potential library director/manager candidates and provide a recommendation to the SLDPL’s Board of Trustees

MOU Considerations –Be key a key component in the decision making process recommending the use of donated funds or personal property formerly owned by their specific library before the establishment of the special district. –Attend meetings of the Library District’s Board of Trustees. –Implement planning, fundraising and community relations activities –Participation in SLDPL’s sub-committees

The B&ECPL As a District Library Continue to meet with local elected officials –County Executive –County Legislature –Town Supervisors –Village Mayors Under a SLDPL, local municipal responsibility would continue as it is now (still own building)

The B&ECPL As a District Library To facilitate the process, we will work with Local and county officials County Board of Elections State delegation New York Library Association Division of Library Development out of State Ed NY State Board of Regents Other state offices as appropriate

The B&ECPL As a District Library After a bill passes and is signed by the Governor –Election is scheduled to create district, elect trustees and approve initial budget Trustee candidates must petition Hold the vote

The B&ECPL As a District Library If the voters say yes, trustees take office and apply for charter Dissolve old library and transfer assets County collects taxes for new library as approved by voters Funding remains the same until board places new budget before voters

Tentative Timeline for Special Legislative District Public Library 24 month timeline culminating with a November 2013 vote System Board of Trustees voted to pursue Library District after support from ACT Boards 9/15/11 Reach out to stakeholders, municipal/community leaders for support On-goingUntil 11/13 vote Legislative outreach, draft legislation6-8 months On-going until bill is introduced

Tentative Timeline for Special Legislative District Public Library Development of Memoranda of Understanding with ACT libraries On-goingUntil 1/13 Education/advocacy campaigns24 monthsUntil 11/13 Bill passed and signed into law3 monthsBased on session calendar Election held to create district1 Day11/13

Questions?